Germany's domestic intelligence service, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), has secured another victory in court against the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), classifying it as a "suspected" far-right extremist organization. This legal battle sheds light on the agency's role as a guardian of democratic principles and underscores the ongoing struggle to combat extremism in Germany.

 

The BfV's classification of the AfD as anti-constitutional highlights the agency's mandate to detect threats to democracy and coordinate intelligence efforts across Germany's 16 states. While the BfV lacks executive power, it plays a crucial role in gathering and evaluating information on anti-democratic movements, espionage activities, and extremist ideologies.

 

Germany's intelligence landscape comprises various organizations, including the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), responsible for foreign intelligence. However, the BfV stands out as a key player in safeguarding domestic security and upholding democratic values.

 

The BfV's focus on right-wing extremism reflects the prevailing threat to German democracy, although its reports also address other forms of extremism, including Islamist and left-wing ideologies. Despite occasional scandals, such as the failure to act on evidence related to the far-right terrorist group the National Socialist Underground (NSU), the BfV remains a pivotal force in combating extremism.

 

The agency's oversight falls under the purview of a parliamentary supervisory committee, tasked with monitoring all federal intelligence services. However, recent controversies surrounding the AfD's classification as "partly right-wing extremist" have sparked debate over the suitability of AfD politicians to supervise the BfV's work.

 

Legal challenges against the BfV's surveillance measures underscore the complexities of balancing security concerns with individual rights. While the BfV has the authority to surveil members of suspected extremist organizations, legal battles over surveillance raise questions about political interference and constitutional protections.

 

The AfD's ongoing legal dispute against its classification as a suspected extremist organization reflects broader tensions within German politics. With the courts serving as a battleground for ideological conflicts, the outcome of these legal challenges will have far-reaching implications for democracy and civil liberties in Germany.

 

As Germany grapples with the rise of far-right extremism and political polarization, the role of institutions like the BfV in safeguarding democratic principles becomes increasingly vital. However, the balance between security imperatives and democratic values remains a delicate and contentious issue, underscoring the challenges facing modern democracies in confronting extremism.

 

Credit: DW 2024-05-14

 

Get our Daily Newsletter - Click HERE to subscribe

Good luck with that. The failures of the current mob of politicians makes it almost a certainty that the AFD or similar will be the government in the not too distant future, IMO.

A great way to defeat political opponents. Label them "far right" and then take out of via the court system.

 

Not unlike what the Dems are doing in the good ol' US of A. 

Maybe they should concentrate on why the populace are now coming to their senses and voting centre ground (now labelled the far right ) 

Edited May 14, 20242 yr by goldenbrwn1

4 hours ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Good luck with that. The failures of the current mob of politicians makes it almost a certainty that the AFD or similar will be the government in the not too distant future, IMO.

No.

AfD is loud and in a way aggressive.

But a minority within the overwhelming majority of Democracy. 

A ruling AfD will never happen.🙏

1 hour ago, goldenbrwn1 said:

Maybe they should concentrate on why the populace are now coming to their senses and voting centre ground (now labelled the far right ) 

It's just a loud minority. Don't worry🙏

2 hours ago, JonnyF said:

A great way to defeat political opponents. Label them "far right" and then take out of via the court system.

 

Not unlike what the Dems are doing in the good ol' US of A. 

Far right is what it is, Trump Fanboy

!!! The GREEN INTELLIGENCE GRAVEYARD's END !!!

Edited May 14, 20242 yr by LudwigK

39 minutes ago, ujayujay said:

Far right is what it is, Trump Fanboy

 

Thanks for proving my point so effectively. 😃

Police are busy with AfD, meanwhile the Muslim youth gangs terrorize German cities....Priorities.

3 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

No.

AfD is loud and in a way aggressive.

But a minority within the overwhelming majority of Democracy. 

A ruling AfD will never happen.🙏

Sorry, but this is bull<deleted>.

 

I voted for the greens my whole life, till they were seized by big finance. Today the greens are a corporatocratic fascist antidemocratic party, as the social democrats, as the christian-democrats, as the liberal-democrats. And as the EU, btw.

 

Their puppet players also control all the big media outlets, and together they defame everyone as being "right", "far right" or "Nazi" who criticise them or speaks out against this. The BfV itself is type of a new Stasi in the meantime, and it is NOT independent.

 

The situation not only in Germany but in many western countries is worse than in a banana republic already. Expats on the other side of the world are maybe not yet aware of it. I also suggest to be a little more critical about the media.

Edited May 14, 20242 yr by Flying Saucage

25 minutes ago, Flying Saucage said:

Sorry, but this is bull<deleted>.

 

I voted for the greens my whole life, till they were seized by big finance. Today the greens are a corporatocratic fascist antidemocratic party, as the social democrats, as the christian-democrats, as the liberal-democrats. And as the EU, btw.

 

Their puppet players also control all the big media outlets, and together they defame everyone as being "right", "far right" or "Nazi" who criticise them or speaks out against this. The BfV itself is type of a new Stasi in the meantime, and it is NOT independent.

 

The situation not only in Germany but in many western countries is worse than in a banana republic already. Expats on the other side of the world are maybe not yet aware of it. I also suggest to be a little more critical about the media.

What a gibberish 😂😂😂. Sounds like a brainwashed NAZI. God sake 85% see it different. You're not the majority. Never.🤣🤣🤣

16 hours ago, ujayujay said:

Far right is what it is, Trump Fanboy

another one struck down with Trump derangement syndrome!! 

22 hours ago, newbee2022 said:

No.

AfD is loud and in a way aggressive.

But a minority within the overwhelming majority of Democracy. 

A ruling AfD will never happen.🙏

They probably thought the same way in the 1930s

Definitely not.

As far as I know they created a "safe" democracy with a lot of institutions to watch over it. Also the democratic parties would always be able to form a coalition, unlike to US or UK.🙏

On 5/15/2024 at 2:14 PM, newbee2022 said:

Definitely not.

As far as I know they created a "safe" democracy with a lot of institutions to watch over it. Also the democratic parties would always be able to form a coalition, unlike to US or UK.🙏

Not if the AFD had over 50% of the vote.

28 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Not if the AFD had over 50% of the vote.

Yeah, when Easter and Christmas will be on the same day😂

I remember in Germany back in the late 70s and early 80s (I was in the British Army) the local shooting clubs holding their annual "Schutzenfests". Great piss ups, as the night got longer the singing, from amongst those in the age group around 60 or so got interesting.

 

I also remember being at a place called "Putlos" for a skill at arms range camp. At the weekend the local German VKK ( TA or Home Guard) turned up. Again, on Saturday night, the singing got " interesting"!

 

If I can paraphrase Gerry Adams: " they haven't all gone away you know".

 

Look on Google for German Army torchlight swearing in ceremonies - they are "rediscovering" some old traditions, not just an enthusiasm for wearing tin hats on parade!

Edited May 17, 20242 yr by herfiehandbag

 

Germany's AfD given boot from EU Parliament far-right group

Bernd Riegert in Brussels / 14 hours ago

 

The French far right have expelled the German AfD from their shared political group in the European Parliament. What’s going on?

After a string of scandals and just two weeks out from EU elections, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been ejected from the European Parliamentary group it shared with France's Rassemblement National among others.

"The Bureau of the Identity and Democracy Group in the European Parliament has decided today to exclude the German delegation, AfD, with immediate effect," the political faction announced on Thursday.

...

 

 

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-afd-given-boot-from-eu-parliament-far-right-group/a-69164697

 

 

...   

 

8 minutes ago, jollyhangmon said:

 

Germany's AfD given boot from EU Parliament far-right group

Bernd Riegert in Brussels / 14 hours ago

 

The French far right have expelled the German AfD from their shared political group in the European Parliament. What’s going on?

After a string of scandals and just two weeks out from EU elections, the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been ejected from the European Parliamentary group it shared with France's Rassemblement National among others.

"The Bureau of the Identity and Democracy Group in the European Parliament has decided today to exclude the German delegation, AfD, with immediate effect," the political faction announced on Thursday.

...

 

 

https://www.dw.com/en/germanys-afd-given-boot-from-eu-parliament-far-right-group/a-69164697

 

 

...   

 

Democracy in action, Euro style.

5 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Democracy in action, Euro style.

It’s a alt-right political grouping within the elected representatives.

 

They’re obviously having a ‘haters tiff’.

 

Nothing at all to do with ‘Democracy’ 

39 minutes ago, thaibeachlovers said:

Democracy in action, Euro style.

 

Huh?!

Explained to the - as per the usual - quite ill informed by Chompers ^^, thanks.

 

Now better lay off the booze - & the sheep as well - you are so incredibly f'n clueless and it shows each & every time.

 

Say, Kamerad, does it hurt ...? A lot ...??!

 

32 minutes ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a alt-right political grouping within the elected representatives.

 

They’re obviously having a ‘haters tiff’.

 

Nothing at all to do with ‘Democracy’ 

Correct. I suspect the Rassemblement National can see the prevailing winds and the trouble coming to the AFD and want to disassociate themselves from them before the <deleted> hits the fan. As usual they're at each others throats. 

Let's dance!

 

Have you heard it on the news?
About this fascist groove thang?
Evil men with racist views
Spreading all across the land

Don't just sit there on your ass
Unlock that funky chaindance
Brothers, sisters shoot your best
We don't need this fascist groove thang

 

History will repeat itself
Crisis point we're near the hour
Counterforce will do no good
Hot you ass I feel your power

Hitler proves that funky stuff
Is not for you and me girl
Europe's an unhappy land
They've had their fascist groove thang

1 hour ago, Chomper Higgot said:

It’s a alt-right political grouping within the elected representatives.

 

They’re obviously having a ‘haters tiff’.

 

Nothing at all to do with ‘Democracy’ 

 

More than a tiff by the sound of things. AfD too extreme even for the likes of France's NF and Belgium's Vlaams Belang. Tells you all you need to know.

32 minutes ago, Baht Simpson said:

Let's dance!

 

Have you heard it on the news?
About this fascist groove thang?
Evil men with racist views
Spreading all across the land

Don't just sit there on your ass
Unlock that funky chaindance
Brothers, sisters shoot your best
We don't need this fascist groove thang

 

History will repeat itself
Crisis point we're near the hour
Counterforce will do no good
Hot you ass I feel your power

Hitler proves that funky stuff
Is not for you and me girl
Europe's an unhappy land
They've had their fascist groove thang

 

That tune brought back some memories (mainly good). Thanks for posting👍

On 5/14/2024 at 7:36 AM, JonnyF said:

A great way to defeat political opponents. Label them "far right" and then take out of via the court system.

 

Not unlike what the Dems are doing in the good ol' US of A. 

 

and let's hope Democracy will also win in the USA.

 

it's time that lying in public for political gain gets outlawed.

Edited May 24, 20242 yr by tgw

On 5/16/2024 at 10:49 AM, thaibeachlovers said:

Not if the AFD had over 50% of the vote.

That's what Putin is hoping for

14 minutes ago, RayC said:

 

That tune brought back some memories (mainly good). Thanks for posting👍

Yeah, I just got it again on vinyl and this track seemed appropriate for this thread. I too have happy memories of the time when this album came out.